Larger adenylate energy charge and ATP/ADP ratios in aerenchymatous roots of Zea mays in anaerobic media as a consequence of improved internal oxygen transport

Internal transport of O₂ from the aerial tissues along the adventitious roots of intact maize plants was estimated by measuring the concentrations of adenine nucleotides in various zones along the root under an oxygen-free atmosphere. Young maize plants were grown in nutrient solution under conditions that either stimulated or prevented the formation of a lysigenous aerenchyma, and the roots (up to 210 mm long) were then exposed to an anaerobic (oxygen-free) nutrient solution. Aerenchymatous roots showed higher values than non-aerenchymatous ones for ATP content, adenylate energy charge and ATP/ADP ratios. We conclude that the lysigenous cortical gas spaces help maintain a high respiration rate in the tissues along the root, and in the apical zone, by improving internal transport of oxygen over distances of at least 210 mm. This contrasted sharply with the low energy status (poor O₂ transport) in non-aerenchymatous roots.Abbreviation AEC adenylate energy charge     

Effect of applied and endogenous indol-3-yl-acetic acid on maize root growth

The level of endogenous Indol-3-yl-acetic acid (IAA) measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the elongating zone of intact primary roots of Zea mays showed a good linear correlation with the growth rate of these roots. When they were treated with IAA, their relative elongation decreased; this indicates a supraoptimal content of endogenous IAA. However, the growth of some of the relatively rapidly extending roots was enhanced by such treatment. Interactions between endogenous and applied IAA in the control of root growth are discussed.Abbreviations GC-MS gas chromatography-mass spectrometry - IAA Indol-3-yl-acetic acid     

Cellular and subcellular localization of calcium in gravistimulated corn roots

Summary Antimonate staining procedures and energy dispersive X-ray microanalytical techniques were used to determine the patterns of localization of calcium in nonstimulated and gravistimulated corn roots. In horizontally positioned roots within the region of the developing bend there was a change in the staining from that principally localized within cells of the stele to asymmetric staining within the vacuoles of the cortical cells along the upper root surface. There was little staining in the walls. The pattern observed is quite different from that seen in gravistimulated coleoptiles. Staining of mitochondria, plastids and Golgi stacks was seen in most cell types, but no asymmetry of staining was observed. In the rootcap where graviperception is thought to occur, there was little staining of any cellular organelles.     

Organogenesis in pepper tissue cultures

Knowledge concerning in vitro growth and developmental responses of bell and chile peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) has been limited. Shoot and root organogenesis in cultures of seedling explants was restricted to primary cultures or those less than three months old under 12-and 16-h photoperiod at 25°C. Shoot organogenesis was extended to 5 months under continuous light at 25°C, and to 8 months under continuous light at 28.5°C. Murashige and Skoog basal media containing 0.05mg/l each of IAA and BA promoted shoot elongation and rooting of some explant sources, while 0.05-4 mg/l IAA with 10–50 mg/l BA promoted adventitious shoot bud formation. Glucose was superior to sucrose as the carbon source. Leaf discs collected from greenhouse-grown plants regenerated shoots for at least 2 months. Incubation environment, carbon source, explant source, growth regulator treatment and passage number were not independent variables as demonstrated by statistical analysis. The plant regeneration techniques described here have useful but limited applications, not extending to unorganized callus or cell suspension cultures.Journal article no. 1151 of the New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station.     

The effects of (2RS, 3RS)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4, 4-dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4 triazol-1-yl) pentan-3-ol (Paclobutrazol:PP333) and root pruning on the growth,water use and response to drought of Colt Cherry rootstocks

The effect of (2RS, 3RS)-1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4, 4-dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4 triazol-1-yl) pentan-3-ol (PP333) on the growth and transpiration of normal and root pruned colt rootstocks was measured. PP333 reduced plant height, stem diameter increment, leaf number, area and weight and stem weight. Root pruning reduced root, leaf and stem weight, and plant height in control plants. PP333 reduced both total water use and transpiration per unit leaf area and increased stomatal resistance. In control plants root pruning also reduced total water use and increased stomatal resistance. 15 days after the beginning of the experiment half the plants in all treatments were allowed to dry out. The effects of drought, i.e. reduced transpiration, growth and leaf water potentials, were smaller in PP333 treated than in control plants.     

The Escherichia coli cell cycle

This review summarizes present knowledge of the bacterial cell cycle with particular emphasis on Escherichia coli. We discuss data coming from three different types of approaches to the study of cell extension and division: The search for discrete events occurring once per division cycle. It is generally agreed that the initiation and termination of DNA replication and cell septation are discrete events; there is less agreement on the sudden doubling in rate of cell surface extension, murein biosynthesis and the synthesis of membrane proteins and phospholipids. We discuss what is known about the temporal relationship amongst the various cyclic events studied. The search for discrete growth zones in the cell envelope layers. We discuss conflicting reports on the existence of murein growth zones and protein insertion sites in the inner and outer membranes. Elucidation of the mechanism regulating the initiation of DNA replication. The concept of "critical initiation mass" is examined. We review data suggesting that the DNA is attached to the envelope and discuss the role of the latter in the initiation of DNA replication.     

棉株根系伤流中的细胞分裂素类物质

棉株根系伤流有明显昼夜节奏,白天多,夜晚较少。白天中又以上午9～12时的伤流量为最高。伤流中CTK量及其浓度也以白天为高。在切除地上部4天以后,从蕾期和铃期棉株已不再能收集到伤流液,但盛花期棉株在切除地上部6天以后,仍产生了相当多的伤流,其中仍含有丰富的CTK类物质。盛花期棉株根系伤流量及其中CTK水平高于铃期棉株,提示铃期棉株根系活力已开始趋向衰老。根据Sephadex LH-20柱层析及高效液相层析鉴定出棉株根系伤流中的CTK类物质有Z,ZR,和IPA。     

Regulation of the β-ketoadipate pathway in Rhizobium japonicum and bacteroids by succinate

Rhizobium japonicum 61-A-101 and its bacteroids catabolize phenol and p-hydroxybenzoate. With phenol as a carbon source, utilization started only after a prolonged lag phase while p-hydroxybenzoate was almost instantancously metabolized. Succinate, which supports rapid growth of Rhizobium japonicum, completely repressed respication of phenol; the oxidation of p-hydroxybenzoate was partially inhibited. Pyruvate, supporting slower growth than succinate, retarded the onset of phenol consumption but did not affect its maximum rate.Catabolite repression of phenol utilization by succinate appears to be a characteristic feature of rhizobia. In Pseudomonas putida which also actively metabolizes phenol, succinate had no effect on phenol utilization.     

Cross-linked collagen surface for cell culture that is stable,uniform, and optically superior to conventional surfaces

Summary A new type of collagen surface for use with cultures of peripheral nervous system cells is described. Collagen is derivatized to plastic culture dishes by a cross-linking reagent, 1-cyclohexyl-3-(2-morpholinoethyl)-carbodiimide-metho-p-toluenesulfonate (carbodiimide), to form a uniform and durable surface for cell attachment and growth that allows dry storage, long-term culture, and improved microscopy. Surfaces of collagen derivatized to plastic were compared to surfaces of adsorbed or ammonia-polymerized collagen in terms of collagen binding and detachment, growth by dorsal root ganglion cells, and electron microscopy appearances. Derivatized collagen surfaces retained more collagen and showed much less evidence of degradation and cellular damage over periods of many weeks than did conventional adsorbed surfaces. Long-term survival of cells on derivatized collagen was far superior to that on the other surfaces, with almost 90% of cultures still viable after 10 wk. Transmission electron microscopy showed an organized layer of single fibrils that supported cell growth well, and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated an increased uniformity of derivatized collagen surfaces compared to ammoniated collagen surfaces. Applications for this improved substrate surface are discussed. This work was supported by the Leopold Schepp Foundation, the Dysautonomia Foundation, National Institutes of Health Grants NS14768 and NS11237, and Institutional Core Grant HD06276.     

Cytokinin-induced switch in development in excised cotyledons of radiata pine cultured in vitro

Cotyledons of Pinus radiata D. Don were cultured under shoot-forming (plus cytokinin) and elongating (minus cytokinin) conditions. Using. autoradiographic and precursor incorporation techniques, the sites and rate of macromolecular synthesis were examined during the first five days in culture. Active incorporation of ³H-thymidine, ³ H-uridine and ³H-leucine occurred. In shoot-forming cotyledons the incorporation became preferentially located in the epidermal and sub-epidermal cell layers in contact with the medium. In elongating cotyledons, in contrast, incorporation was randomly distributed, and the amount of incorporation declined with time. Biochemically, differences in DNA, RNA and total protein synthetic patterns were observed. In elongating cotyledons the rates of RNA and protein synthesis were higher during the first 48 h than in shoot-forming tissues, after which the synthetic rates were similar. Two peaks of newly formed DNA were observed in both tissues. These findings indicate that the cytokinin-induced changes in developmental pathways began within 24 h in culture.